Water management in the Arabian Peninsula: Needed adaptions

In previous centuries, water management in the Arabian Peninsula was adapted to local conditions, and used a technology which was understood and efficiently operated by its users. In recent decades technology transfers from abroad, intended to provide for much greater demand in the expanded cities, have in many cases not been integrated into efficient water management. Causes include imperfect understanding of the implications of new technology by managers and users. In particular, criteria for selection of viable modern technology applications have not been established. The philosophy of water management specialists of earlier periods can complement modern machinery and production schemes. Projects which have proved incompatible with local capabilities need to be phased out. In their place, carefully-weighed schemes blending traditional philosophy with modern technology should be developed. Such experimentation with hybrid design is inescapable if the region’s water affairs are to have satisfactory long-term solutions.